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WORK TITLE: Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile
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WebOnlyReviewsSLJ vol. 71 no. 5 May 2, 2025, Amanda Borgia, “Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile.”. p. 1.
Kirkus Reviews Apr. 1, 2025, , “Jreije, George: BASHIR BOUTROS AND THE JEWEL OF THE NILE.”.
Publishers Weekly vol. 272 no. 10 Mar. 10, 2025, , “Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (Bashir Boutros #1).”. p. 61.
Kirkus Reviews Sept. 15, 2023, , “Jreije, George: SHAD HADID AND THE FORBIDDEN ALCHEMIES.”.
Booklist vol. 119 no. 5-6 Nov. 1, 2022, Paz, Selenia. , “Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria.”. p. 86.
Kirkus Reviews Aug. 15, 2022, , “Jreije, George: SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA.”.
George Jreije ("jer-age") is the author of many books, including the acclaimed Shad Hadid fantasy series, the Bashir Boutros fantasy series, and the upcoming graphic novels, Tarik's Bazaar Adventure as well as Lilo and the League of Librarians. He also writes short stories across age categories and genres in collaboration with Scholastic, UNICEF, and others.
George is also a public speaker, writing teacher, and book editor. He served as the inaugural author-in-residence for the Concord Library and has been a guest of honor as well as an instructor for Gotham Writer's Workshop, WriteHive, the Highlights Foundation, and more.
When not writing or helping other writers, George loves visiting schools as well as scouring the world (especially his native Lebanon) for delicious food. Connect on Instagram or send an email.
George Jreije
Series
Shad Hadid
1. Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria (2022)
2. Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies (2023)
thumbthumb
Bashir Boutros
1. Bashir Boutros and the Jewels of the Nile (2025)
2. Bashir Boutros and the Forgotten Realm (2026)
writementor success story: George Jreije
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George Jreije is the Lebanese-American author of SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA (HarperCollins, 2022) as well as short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. George also works as a professional editor with Angelella Editorial. When not working, he can be found doing yoga or reading.
A mentee on WriteMentor’s 2020 summer program, this year George is now mentoring a writer aspiring to publication, as well as taking on a committee role as workshops and talks co-ordinator.
He shares his experience of the program and why he thinks mentoring is important for writers.
What made you apply for the WriteMentor programme?
I applied to the WriteMentor program out of a personal philosophy to seize every available writing opportunity. At the time, I’d recently exchanged critiques with a couple of writers for my young adult fantasy novel. It seemed ready for the next step, whether querying or otherwise, and I knew a mentor could help me grow not only with this novel but as a writer in general. At the worst, it might result in a rejection, but I was okay with that.
What was your experience like?
My experience was phenomenal. Sabrina Prestes selected my novel and we worked through two rounds of revisions. In each, I learned as much as I could from her line edits and broader comments. By the end, not only was I a stronger writer, but a more keen editor, which is probably more important when it comes to polishing my work.
Tell us about your writing journey from start until now.
My journey began late in college (around 2016) after I’d read a novel I really enjoyed (Red Rising by Pierce Brown) and was inspired to give writing a try. Having grown up working really tough blue-collar jobs, the discipline was there, and that helped me write quickly and efficiently. The first few novels will never see the light of day. They were bad with a capital B.
By the end, not only was I a stronger writer, but a more keen editor, which is probably more important when it comes to polishing my work
Slowly, the words started to fit together more naturally, my stories becoming more cohesive. After writing three novels, my fourth got me into WriteMentor. Yet before I even started querying that novel, I played around with middle grade fiction and fell in love. I wrote two middle grade novels, one of them being SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA. Writing The End for that book coincided with the submission window for Pitch Wars, another mentoring opportunity. Coincidently, I got in for my middle grade project, being mentored by traditionally published authors Adrianna Cuevas and Sarah Kapit.
After more revisions of that middle grade fantasy project, I went out to agents and received several authors, ultimately signing with my literary agent – Jennifer Azantian. We went on submission a couple of months after, and my novel sold at auction!
Since, I’ve been commissioned to write a science fiction short story for UNICEF, and am working through the second book in my SHAD HADID series.
Can you tell us a little more about the book you worked on and signed with?
The book I worked on with WriteMentor wasn’t the book I signed with. Sabrina and I worked on a young adult fantasy that I still love, but never queried due to my sudden interest in the middle grade age category. It was in that age range that I wrote SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA series, with whom I signed.
This novel regards a Lebanese-American immigrant who loves to bake but discovers he comes from a long line of alchemists. He must apply his baking skills to craft elixirs and charms, but also to learn enough alchemy to stop a nefarious force trying to seize control of his school.
What is your best piece of writing advice that you learned on the programme?
The best piece of writing advice I learned was to be flexible. Even if there was a scene I enjoyed, I grew to be content with re-imagining those scenes and others, effectively strengthening my trust between me and my mentors.
Why do you think mentoring is important for writers?
Mentoring is critical for writers from both the perspective of the mentor and mentee. As a mentee, having the chance to partner with a writer with not only writing experience, but also industry experience is critical for navigating a tricky business. These mentors typically know how to better diagnose a story’s weaknesses and studying their process will help the mentee tremendously.
Likewise, mentoring is helpful for mentors because the process of helping other writers often leads to insights about our own works. Simply going through and offering feedback on manuscripts has certainly made me a better writer, and more attune to how to edit my own work. It is also a huge amount of fun, and a great way to put our skills to good use by helping others.
Twitter: @ByGeorgeJreije
George Jreije
Author Spotlight: George Jreije
Sept. 16, 2022
We're excited to feature author George Jreije and his debut middle-grade novel, SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA (HarperCollins) coming in October 4, 2022. Enter to win a copy!
Cover art credit goes to Khadijah Khatib
Tell us about yourself and how you came to write for children.
I'm a Lebanese-American author obsessed with storytelling in all forms, from books to movies to video games. I began writing for children after graduating college when I decided that writing was something I really enjoyed. While experimenting with my writing, I found getting into the head of a younger character felt much more natural to me (especially telling fart jokes), so I stuck with it and don't ever want to go back!
Congrats on your debut middle-grade novel, Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria! Tell us about the book and what inspired you.
This fantasy novel centers on a 12-year-old Arab-American immigrant. Shad doesn't have much and misses home, so when he learns he comes from a long line of alchemists, he's determined to learn the ancient art as a means of connecting to his family heritage. The story was inspired by the way so many people who come from diverse backgrounds, like myself, crave the connection to their ancestral cultures. It was also inspired by my Arab background, and I wanted to create a magic system based on that culture while being wholly unique. That was the birth of alchemy!
Was your road to publication long and winding, short and sweet, or something in between?
I would say my road to publication was solidly average. I wrote several novels that will never be published but were important to me in discovering my voice. It was then, after about four years of writing, that I wrote my debut novel. I was lucky enough to get mentored by a couple of talented authors, who helped me revise that novel, which attracted a couple of agent offers, and subsequently, a couple of publisher offers too!
What projects are you working on now?
I have some secret projects I can't yet talk about but am VERY excited to share with the world soon. I will only say two words: graphic novels.
What are some of your favorite classic middle-grade books? Recent ones?
If I'm being honest, I didn't read a lot of middle grade growing up, so I never took an interest in "the classics". However, I'm obsessed with middle grade now and have a long list of recommendations. Anything by Adrianna Cuevas, Sarah Kapit, Christina Soontorvant is great from the regular novel space, but I would encourage everyone to look into middle grade graphic novels like The Magic Fish or New Kid.
What advice would you give to your younger self? Is this the same advice you'd give to aspiring authors?
I would tell my younger self to start writing sooner! I waited until I was a college graduate, which was ironically when I had the least amount of free time up to that point. My advice is to be as patient as possible and trust the process. If you constantly show up, get feedback, and revise, it is a matter of WHEN and not IF you get published.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
One thing most don't know is that I have alopecia, which means that hair doesn't really grow on my body!
Where can people find you online?
People can find me on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @ByGeorgeJreije and on my website GeorgeJreije.com.
George is the Lebanese-American author of SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA, a forthcoming children's fantasy novel with HarperCollins. He has also written short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. When not writing, George enjoys trying tasty Arabic pastries, messing with new yoga poses, and mentoring other writers.
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George Jreije
George Jreije
George Jreije is the author of the Shad Hadid children's fantasy series, the novel Bashir Boutros and the Jewels of the Nile, and the graphic novels Tarik’s Bazaar Adventure and Lilo and the League of Librarians (all HarperCollins). He has also written short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. He has taught for the Concord (Massachusetts) Library System, the Orlando Libraries, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He holds a BS and an MBA from Clark University.
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George Jreije
George Jreije
by Vera Ampofowah
“Keep your writing fun and experimental always,” Gotham teacher George Jreije says, to inspire up-and-coming writers. “Trying out different genres unlocks your true voice. Don’t bottle yourself up to only one category.”
However, George never thought of himself as a writer growing up. In fact, he didn’t consider becoming a writer until college. While majoring in political science, George’s epiphany came about when he realized his love for reading and imagining stories.
George says, “I was like: Why not try writing?”
The more George dove into his newfound interest in writing, the more he felt like something was missing. George says, “The aha moment came when I was reflecting on the fact that, hey, there's really little Arab representation, and I am Arab-American.”
George incorporates aspects of growing up as a Lebanese-American into his characters. He tries to focus on his own experiences and lets that inform his writing, making it more natural and authentic.
He has recently published two books in a middle-grade fantasy series: Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria and Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies. The series explores the adventures of a young boy’s journey into alchemy against necromancers seeking control. And the hero of the series is a Lebanese-American boy, like George.
George is following these books with a middle-grade graphic novel, Tarik’s Bazaar Adventure, about a boy who has alopecia, like George, and his self-love journey.
And George is also working on another middle-grade series about an Arab-American boy who finds a jinn (genie) at the bottom of the ocean and has to fend off monsters preying on his new powers.
When George isn't working on his novels, he frequents schools and organizations on a mission to inspire young children to write. Some of these trips include writing short stories for young Arab children as part of UNICEF. George’s love of inspiring writers continues at Gotham. As George puts it: “I was looking for an opportunity to inspire writers as well as elevate the status of Gotham itself.”
Outside of writing, George enjoys traveling all around the world and trying out different foods. He spends some of his free time with his wife experimenting with dishes while staying true to his Lebanese roots. George also loves doing yoga, especially the “spiritual and physical parts of its philosophy.”
Worcester-born author George Jreije's 'Shad Hadid' practices alchemy and understanding
Portrait of Richard DuckettRichard Duckett
Worcester Magazine
Worcester native and Clark University alum George Jreije wanted to write tales of magic reflecting the people, places and cultures of the Middle East.
Worcester-born author George Jreije liked academic writing when he was at Clark University studying for a dual major in international relations and business administration.
After he graduated in 2017, he stayed on another year to earn a master's in business administration. "I enjoyed writing essays, dissertations," he said. But for most of his time at Clark, he hadn't really given much thought to writing fiction.
Then, as if by alchemy, something happened ...
Jreije is the author of two books in an acclaimed middle-grade fantasy series: "Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria," published in October 2022, and "Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies," which came out this past October. The series explores the adventures of a young Lebanese-American boy’s journey into alchemy against necromancers seeking control.
'To humanize our culture'
The books are published by HarperCollins, which bid on them at a publishers auction.
Jreije is Lebanese-American and lived in Lebanon as a child before he and his family returned to Worcester and then settled in Shrewsbury.
The Shad Hadid series is mostly set in the Middle East.
"My goal is to really humanize our people or culture, and build a bridge that shows we're not much different than anyone else," Jreije said.
Growing up here after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Jreije said he saw people from the Middle East sometimes being demonized.
Most of the people who write to Jreije about his books "are not Arabs. They write saying how much they love reading about the culture — and that's my goal," he said.
Children, adults, ageless souls
Sales of "Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria" have been "great. Thousands of copies since last October (2022)," Jreije said.
He now has a crontact with HarperCollins for four more books. They will include two graphic novels and another middle-grade series about an Arab-American boy who finds a genie at the bottom of the ocean and has to fend off monsters preying on his new powers. He has also written short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF.
Although the Shad Hadid series is categorized as middle grade, "adults love to read these cozy fantasies," Jreije said. "And any fan of 'Harry Potter' can read them."
"Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria" opens in Portland, Maine, where Shad never quite fits in at school, is bullied by a former friend and daydreams of opening his own Arabic bakery. But after a surprise encounter, he learns that his late father, who died in a car accident, was an alchemist with the ability to mix charms, elixirs and mists — and Shad is one, too. He goes to the mysterious Alexandra Academy located at an undisclosed destination somewhere in the Middle East but finds that no one there even mentions alchemy. He discovers a sinister evil involving a group of necromancers that only he can try to stop.
"Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria," by Worcester native George Jreije, promises high adventure and tales of magic accessible to young adults and adult readers.
A mystery in the story
"Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies" continues Shad's adventures, which this time take place mostly in Lebanon.
"Harry Potter set the standard for magic schools," Jreije said. However, his Shad Hadid series "is not Harry Potter set in Arabia. Shad is a different character. The story becomes more of a mystery. The school has no alchemy. There is a force that has tried to monopolize the alchemy for their own uses." And alchemy itself is something not explored in too many contemporary novels, he said.
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Jreije also has plenty of humor in his story, and his own love for food is evident in Shad's daydreams. The Portland setting is because he knows the city, and has there. When the scenes shift, he can share more of his Arab background and the culture of alchemy.
Author and filmmaker Soman Chainani ("The School for Good and Evil') has said, "'Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria' is a heartwarming, mouth-watering tale packed to the brim with humor, action and culinary delights. Alchemizing the magic school trope with traditional Lebanese culture, author George Jreije creates a rich one-of-a-kind world that readers won't want to leave."
A dream emerges
Jreije divides his time between Shrewsbury and St. Louis, where his wife is finishing up her law degree.
He graduated from St. John's High School in Shrewsbury before going to Clark University.
"I can tell you, my English teachers, they certainly would be surprised," he said of his transformation from business administration student to Shad Hadid author.
Jreije said he found that, notwithstanding his studies at Clark, "college allowed me a lot of free time." He spent a good deal of that time reading fiction, and his favorite novels include J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit."
"I devoured whatever I could in my little dorm room ... I thought, 'I read all these books, why can't I do what they do?' ''However, "you grow up and mainstream literature is predominantly white and not very diverse."
In his senior year at Clark, Jreije started writing fiction. "I gave myself a grace period of five years," he said.
He wrote four novels that, although they will never be published, helped him hone his craft, he said. He found his voice seeking something more diverse in his own writing and realizing he could write Shad Hadid as "a way to celebrate my Lebanese heritage and marry that to novels I've really enjoyed." Getting into the head of a younger character also felt more natural.
A journey within
The hard work and inspiration were rewarded when Jreije subsequently found a literary agent who put the two Shad Hadid novels up for bidding among prospective publishers. HarperCollins swooped. The publishing house is considered to be one of the "Big Five" English-language publishers.
Besides advances, "they have distribution, whereas if you self-publish you don't really get that luxury," Jreije said.
The graphic-novel book deal will begin with the upcoming novel "Tarik’s Bazaar Adventure," with illustrations by Umair Najeeb Khan, about a boy who has alopecia (hair loss) and his self-love journey. The story is also close to Jreije's heart as he has hair loss and said he wants the book to help others with the same condition.
'Books are my passion'
A happy ending for many authors is if their novel gets a movie deal, as J.K. Rowling might attest. The Shad Hadid novels might seem as if they have the stuff from which successful films are made, and Jreije said a film agent has reached out and is doing some shopping around. Such shopping can take a decade or more, he noted. Still, "there is hope."
But he added, "Books are my passion. If anything happens with movies, that would be the icing on the cake. The bigger priority is getting the books translated."
A publisher in the Middle East is interested in translating the Shad Hadid books into Arabic, Jreije said. Also, "I'd really love a Spanish translation."
Is Jreije making a living as an author?
"It's a modest living, but yes," he said. "I feel I'm in the 1 percent who actually do make money."
Spinning off from his writing, he also teaches creative writing with Gotham Writers Workshop in New York City and gets invited to schools and conferences.
"It's another way I can support my income," he said.
Alchemy really did change his life.
"I'm very lucky that life has taken me in a more creative endeavor."
Interview with George Jreije about SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA
September 30, 2022 ~ bookvillageadmin
Kathie: Welcome to MG Book Village, George! Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your middle-grade debut SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA, coming out on October 4th from Harper Collins. Can you please give our readers a brief synopsis of it?
George: Thanks for having me at the MG Book Village, Kathie! SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA centers on Shad Hadid, a twelve-year-old aspiring baker. Shad’s life is uprooted when he discovers he’s descended from a long line of alchemists and sent to the mysterious Alexandria Academy. Only, his arrival at the school awakens a nefarious force long lurking in the shadows, and he unwittingly holds the key to either stopping—or unleashing—their evil plot.
Kathie: I recently finished an eARC of your book, and I loved how you wove Lebanese culture together with mythology, alchemy, and lots of humor. Why was it important to you to tell this story?
George: I’m so glad you enjoyed the advanced copy. Writing this story meant more to me than getting a book deal, and that was because I felt so strongly about the need for a story that highlights an Arab hero. So much Western media paints characters of Arab background negatively, and my hope is to combat this narrative, sharing our rich culture with younger readers while giving the world a diverse lead they can root for.
Kathie: Shad is an aspiring baker when he discovers his family’s connection to alchemy and is sent to the Alexandria Academy to study it. What’s one question you think he would want me to ask him if I interviewed him?
George: You should definitely ask what part of the Alexandria Academy he most wants to explore. There’s the dining hall with all the tasty foods, of course, but also the Great Library with countless hidden secrets, among other mysterious nooks and crannies across the school.
Kathie: Food is an essential part of this book. Do you have a favorite Lebanese dish?
George: Picking my favorite Lebanese dish is an impossible task! One that I would rate very highly is fattoush, which is a salad covered with toasted pieces of bread that give it a tasty crunch. Yum!
Kathie: If I was booktalking this story to a young reader in my library, what could I say to help convince them to try it?
George: Be sure to ask them whether they are an alchemist or a necromancer. They’ll have to read the book to discover who they side with, but the alchemists value tradition while the necromancers are much more concerned with progress at all costs.
Kathie: What’s one thing you’ve learned as a debut author that will influence your future writing projects?
George: What will most impact my writing moving forward is having a deeper goal that I’m trying to achieve. SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA was written for readers who didn’t see themselves represented in middle grade books. I’m going to be sure that I work to get across a similar goal or message through all of my books.
Kathie: Do you have another writing project on the go, and can you share anything about it?
George: In fact, I do have a few secret projects coming up! Though I can’t go into much detail yet, I’ll just say two words…graphic novels.
Oh, and of course SHAD HADID will have an EPIC sequel, which will take you across the world of alchemy. There’s so much to be excited about, and I’m humbled to have awesome readers along for the ride!
Kathie: Where can our readers go to learn more about you and your writing?
George: Readers can find me on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @ByGeorgeJreije to hear all of the latest on what’s happening with me. For personalized pre-orders and some swag, be sure to pre-order SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA from Books of Wonder in New York.
Kathie: Thanks so much for chatting with me today, George, and I hope young readers enjoy this story as much as I did.
George: It’s been a pleasure to be interviewed by you and the MG Book Village, and I can’t wait to hear what readers think of SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA!
George is the Lebanese-American author of SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA, a children’s fantasy novel with HarperCollins, and a forthcoming sequel. He has also written short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. When not writing, George enjoys trying tasty Arabic pastries, messing with new yoga poses, and playing with his labradoodle, Sushi.
JREIJE, George. Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile. 288p. (Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile: Bk. 1). HarperCollins. May 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780063382244.
Gr 4 Up—On the final day of his family summer trip to Lebanon, 11-year-old Bashir's cousin pushes him into the Mediterranean Sea, only for Bashir to come out wearing a mysterious golden ring. He discovers the ring contains Yani, a jinn whose magical aura brings power to those who wield it. By wearing this magical artifact, Bashir attracts trouble from demons, including Ali Adin, a powerful demon lord who kidnaps Bashir's parents. Ali Adin is after Yani's power and won't return Bashir's parents unless he has it. Bashir can't let the demon lord take over the world, so he finds himself teaming up with a mysterious ancient society sworn to protect the world from evil. This is a fun, action-packed fantasy featuring elements of Middle Eastern culture. Jreije puts a fun twist on a familiar tale as Ali Adin is an evil version of Aladdin and Yani the genie. While the story begins in Lebanon and moves to Massachusetts, it becomes a globe-trotting adventure, including one to other realms, as Bashir and the others try to stop Ali Adin. Readers will enjoy the humor that the author expertly includes, such as Alina and Ziad calling Bashir a kid when he is just a year younger. Readers may take a few pages to get into the story, but once they do, they won't want to stop, especially when they get to the plot twist.
VERDICT: Hand to fans of rich fantasies like those of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.—Amanda Borgia
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Library Journals, LLC
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/reviews/xpress/884170-289/xpress_reviews-first_look_at_new.html.csp
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Borgia, Amanda. "Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile." WebOnlyReviewsSLJ, vol. 71, no. 5, 2 May 2025, p. 1. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A839309035/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2eb7d3e3. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Jreije, George BASHIR BOUTROS AND THE JEWEL OF THE NILE Harper/HarperCollins (Children's None) $19.99 5, 27 ISBN: 9780063382244
In this duology opener, an 11-year-old Lebanese American boy must travel to other realms and fight monsters and demons as he tries to save his parents--and possibly the world.
Seventh grader Bashir Boutros and his best friend, Farrah, love spending summers in Lebanon with their families, just as they have every year since they were babies. On the day before his return home to Boston, Bashir's cousin accidentally pushes him into the Mediterranean Sea. He finds a golden ring in the seabed, which awakens a jinn named Yani. On the flight home, Bashir encounters a witch, just one of many monsters who want the ring. Panicked, he discovers that he's unable to remove the ring; he and Yani are bonded. When Ali Adin, or Aladdin, one of the four Demon Lords, kidnaps Bashir's parents and demands the ring in return, Bashir joins forces with 12-year-old Alina and high schooler Ziad, members of the Magi, who protect the human realm. They travel through a portal to recruit Farrah's help. If he's to rescue his parents, he must learn to harness the power of his aura--but can shy Bashir accomplish his goal while remaining true to his pacifist principles? His action-packed journey contains both a surprise plot twist and real character growth as Bashir's self-esteem, confidence, kindness, and care for his family, friends, and all living creatures grow stronger.
An effective blend of excitement and strong characterization, with a message of remaining true to one's values.(Fantasy. 8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Jreije, George: BASHIR BOUTROS AND THE JEWEL OF THE NILE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A832991758/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5ef4558b. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (Bashir Boutros #1)
George Jreije. HarperCollins, $19.99 (288p)
ISBN 978-0-06-338224-4
Jreije (Shad Hadid and the Forbidden Alchemies) imbues a globe-trotting adventure across various Arab cities with a journey of self-confidence in this fantasy duology opener. When 11-year-old Bashir Boutros accidentally bonds with a centuries-old jinn housed in a gold ring retrieved from the ocean, he becomes a target for evil entities eager to feed on his aura, the mystical force that exists in everything. After a power-hungry demon lord named Ali Adin kidnaps Bashir's parents, Bashir teams up with slightly older Alina and teenage Ziad, members of the Magi, an ancient order sworn to protect humankind. As they race to find missing fragments of the magically powerful Jewel of the Nile before Ali Adin can claim them for himself, Bashir must determine how to save his loved ones, even as he struggles to believe he has the ability to do so. Ample humor and thrilling twists enliven Bashir's initially slow-moving quest. Via the protagonist's journey to overcome self-doubt, Jreije underscores themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage. Bashir is Lebanese American; supporting characters are of Arabic descent. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (May)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 PWxyz, LLC
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"Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (Bashir Boutros #1)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 272, no. 10, 10 Mar. 2025, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A830865101/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6a8fd3fc. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Jreije, George SHAD HADID AND THE FORBIDDEN ALCHEMIES Harper/HarperCollins (Children's None) $19.99 10, 17 ISBN: 9780063094864
Shad Hadid faced the necromancers, and now he plans to save his mother in this second series outing.
Until recently, 12-year-old Shad knew nothing about alchemy. But since he and his friends saved the Alexandria Academy from the necromancers' attempted takeover, he's learned a lot. With the necromancers gone from Alexandria Town (though still powerful elsewhere), Shad can finally focus on saving his mother from the Forgetting Charm placed upon her by his necromancer stepfather. Over spring break, Shad plans to travel to Lebanon to find his mother--that is, until he and his friends discover a new plot hatched by the necromancers. Now, his trip has a frustratingly different purpose, but stopping the necromancers from wreaking global chaos is clearly more important than his personal problems. Once in Lebanon, Shad and Sarah Decker, his bully-turned-friend, encounter the larger world of alchemy, witnessing types of alchemy unknown to them and wrestling with questions of whom to trust and how to use their powers for good. Shad approaches all the vagaries life throws his way with his unsanctioned Baker Alchemist skills and a dash of good humor. Full of friendship and loyalty, a good number of twists and turns, and a smattering of bathroom jokes, this sequel to Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria (2022) continues in much the same vein. Shad is Lebanese American; his friends are from a variety of national and cultural backgrounds.
More magical fun and trickery. (Fantasy. 8-12)
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"Jreije, George: SHAD HADID AND THE FORBIDDEN ALCHEMIES." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A764873243/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2b700dbe. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria. By George Jreije. 2022.384P. Harper, $16.99 (9780063094819). Gr. 4-7.
One day in Portland, Maine, while seeking refuge from bullies behind Halwa Heaven, the local Arab bakery, sixth-grader Shad meets the curious Kahem, bakery owner and alchemist. As Shad pieces together his family's ties with alchemy, Kahem instructs him on the mystical art--and its dark side that longs for immortality. After being accepted to the Alexandria Academy, Shad finds himself learning alongside one of his former bullies. As dark necromancers get closer to him and to immortality, Shad must face unexpected enemies and truths about his family. This fast-paced middle-grade fantasy from debut author Jreije introduces an immediately likable protagonist in Shad, whose humor and love for his family resonate throughout the novel and whose interest in baking is delightful as well as useful. Even as Shad suffers grief and loss, he uses the lessons he has learned from his family to overcome his fears. Readers will long to return to the Alexandria Academy.--Selenia Paz
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 American Library Association
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Paz, Selenia. "Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria." Booklist, vol. 119, no. 5-6, 1 Nov. 2022, p. 86. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A727772685/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f82c1f59. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Jreije, George SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA Harper/HarperCollins (Children's None) $16.99 10, 4 ISBN: 978-0-06-309481-9
Shad Hadid plans to learn everything about being an alchemist--if necromancers don't get him first.
After things didn't work out with his hostile stepfather and stepsiblings, Shad left Lebanon with his father and grandparents to start over in Maine. Since his father and grandfather were killed in a car crash, it's been just him and Teta, his grandmother. Eleven-year-old Shad spends his time baking new concoctions, staring in the windows of the only Arabic bakery in town, and dodging his bully (and one-time friend), Sarah Decker, a White girl with xenophobic parents. When he stumbles into an alley behind the bakery that he shouldn't have been able to see, Shad learns that he is descended from alchemists. Eager to learn more, he enrolls in the Alexandria Academy only to find that they dismiss alchemy. Even worse, Sarah and Yakoub, his menacing stepbrother, are also students there. Clearly, it will be up to Shad to restore the alchemists to greatness and to deliver the school from the clutches of necromancers who seek to discover the key to immortality. As Shad makes friends, confronts bullies, and learns how alchemy is like both baking and science, he grows and gains confidence in himself. Alexandria Academy offers a fresh take on magic schools with dark secrets, and Shad and his friends, most of whom are Middle Eastern and North African, are engaging.
A refreshing adventure featuring family, friendship, and the power of creating new recipes. (Fantasy. 8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Jreije, George: SHAD HADID AND THE ALCHEMISTS OF ALEXANDRIA." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A713722622/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a9f7a591. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.